Gate



Nov. 22, 1932. N. J. CONSTABLE: 1,883,967

GATE Filed Oct. 6, 19150 2 Sheets-Sheet l 21kg y M/svn M65776 2% 6/6 INVENTOR ATTOR NEY Nov. 22, 1932. I J, CONSTABLE 1,888,967

GATE

Filed Oct. 6. 1930 ZSheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 22, 1932 Ti-w GATE Application filed October 6, 1930. Serial No. 486,847.

This invention relates to gates and other hingedly mounted members, an object being to hinge a gate, or the like, so that when unlocked it will automatically open in one direction, or may be manually opened in an opposite direction and will automatically close when released.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a novel form of latch for holding a gate or door closed, means being provided for releasing the latch without leaving a. vehicle, so that the gate will automatically swing to an open position and remain open for the passage of the vehicle.

With the above and other objects in view,

the invention further includes the following novel features and details of construction, to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is an elevation of a gate illustrating the invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same, the

broken lines showing the gate in open position.

Figure 3 is an edge view of the latch post.

Figure 4c is an enlarged sectional View on the line 44lof Figure 1.

' Figure 5 is a like view on the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a detail perspective view of the latch sleeve.

Figure 7 is a similar view of the latch lever.

Figure 8 is a detail perspective view of a device for manually closing the gate.

Fig. 9 is a detail perspective view of the gate operating member.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like characters of reference denote corresponding parts, the reference character 10 indicates a gate or other member mounted for swinging movement, and while the invention 4.5- is shown and described in connection with a gate, it is equally well adapted for use with doors.

The reference character 11 indicates a hinge post which forms a part of one end of a fence and this post has rigidly secured thereto a bearing member 12 which rotatably receives a tubular member 14. This member is rigidly connected to one end of the gate by means of straps 15 or other suitable connect ing means and forms in effect a large hinge pin.

Positioned within the tubular member 14 is a spiral rod 16. This rod engages the walls of an opening 17 provided in the lower end of the tubular member, and its inner end has secured thereto one end of a coiled spring 18. The opposite end of this spring is secured within the tubular member as shown at 18.

The outer end of the spiral rod 16 is rigidly secured as shown at 19 to a stationary member 20 carried by the hinge post 11.

When the gate is in the closed position shown in Figures 1 and 2, the spring 18 will be under sufficient tension to swing the gate outward in one direction when said gate is released, while openingthe gate in an opposite direction will further tension the spring 18 and cause the gate to automatically swing to a closed position when released. gate is opened in a direction to reduce tension on the spring 18, it will remain open until manually closed, and as movement of the gate in one direction tensions or winds the spring, the latter will be proportionately shortened so that the gate will be slightly elevated during this movement and will there fore be prevented from dragging upon the ground.

Vertical movement of the gate is controlled by the spiral member 16, rotation of the tubular member moving along this spiral member in accordance'with the direction of opening or closing movement of the gate. Vertical movement of the spiral member in one direction will stretch and consequently tension the When the spring so that the tendency of the spring is to force the spiral member downward and swing the gate.

The reference character 21 indicates a latch post and this post is provided with an opening within which is secured a sleeve 22. This sleeve is provided at one end with a beveled head 23 and a shoulder 2d and this shoulder is adapted to engage the face oi": the post so that the head 23will extend slightly beyond said face in a direction toward the gate. Any suitable means may be employed for holding the sleeve within the opening of the post. The beveled head 23 is provided with an enlarged bore 25 which forms a socket for the reception of a locking bolt 26. This bolt is mounted for longitudinal sliding movement in bearings 27 carried by the gate, and is yieldingly forced outward or in a direction to enter the socket 25, through the medium of a spring 28. A finger piece 29 extends from the bolt 26 and engages within a notch provided in one of the bearings 27 and in addition to serving as a means to operate the bolt, also serves as a stop to limit outward movement.

Slidingly mounted in the sleeve 22 is a plunger 30. This plunger is provided with a head 31 which is seated within the bore 25 and which is adapted to be engaged by the bolt 26. Que end of this plunger is provided with oppositely extending arms 32 and the spring 33 has one of its ends secured to one of these arms and its opposite end secured to a post or other convenient stationary member This spring will act to resist movement of the plunger in a direction to force the bolt from the socket 25.

Pivotally mounted upon the latch post 21 as shown at 35 is a lever 36. This lever GX- tends upon opposite sides of the post and may be in the form of a pair of connected frames. Cables 3'? have one of their ends secured to the inner corners of these framesupon' opposite sides of the post 21. These cables extend around guide pulleys 38 and are secured to the ends of the arms 32. Downward pressure upon either end of the lever 36 will thus move the plunger against the action of its spring and will force the bolt 26 out of the socket 25.

With the gate in closed position as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, pressure upon one end of the lever 36 will disengage the bolt from the socketed head 23 and permit the gate to swing open under the tension of the resilient element 16. This operation is useful when driving through the gate or into a garage, the lever 36 being operated by pressure of one of the wheels of the automobile, so that the driver need not leave the automobile to open the gate. Due to the tension of the spring 18 the gate will remain open until manually closed.

When it is desired to open the gate in the the gate moves in this direction. When the gate is released it will automatically close and due to the beveled head 23, the latch will automatically engage within the socket 25.

In order to close the ate against the ac tion of the spring after passage through the gate, the invention provides an operating member 40 which is pivotally mounted as shown at 4:1. This member has secured thereto one end of a flexible member or cable 42 whose opposite end is secured to the gate as 'hown at L3. As shown the operating member 40 is of segmental formation, but a member of some other character may be sub stituted, such for example as a lever. The member 40 is grooved along one edge as at 4:4: to accommodate the flexible member 42.-

As the gate is opened under theaction oi the spring, the member 40 will be moved pivotally and in order to close the gate after passage therethrough,the member 40 is rocked" in an opposite direction. A handle 15 is provided for conveniently operating the member 40. p

The invention is susceptible of various changes in its form, proportions and minor details of construction and the right is herein reserved to make such changes as properly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention what is claimed is 1. A latch operating mechanism comprising a support having an opening, a hollow socketed member mounted in the opening of the support, a plunger slidabl-y mounted within the socket member and provided with oppositely extending arms, means connected to one of said arms for retaining the plunger within the socket, and means connected to both of said arms and disposed exteriorly' of the support causing the movement of the bolt" out of the socket.

2. A latch operating mechanism" comprising a support having an opening, a hollow socketed member mounted in the opening of the support, a plunger slidabl-y mounted Within the socket member and provided with: oppositely extending arms, and a spring, connected to one of said arms for retaining the plunger within the socket.

3. A latch operating mechanism comprising a support provided with an opening, a hollow socketed member mounted within said opening, a plunger movably mounted within the socket member and provided with oppositely extending arms, means'oo'nnected with one of said arms for retaining-the plunger within the socket, guide pulleys on opposite faces of the support, and means con= nected with both of said arms and trained over said pulleys for causing the movement of the plunger out of the socket.

4. A latch operating mechanism comprising a support provided with an opening, a

hollow socketed member mounted in the opening of the support, a plunger movably mounted Within the socket member and provided with oppositely extending arms, means connected with one of said arms for retaining the plunger within the socket, guide pulleys on opposite faces of the support, an op erating lever on the support, and flexible means connected to both of said arms trained over the pulleys of the support and having connection with the operating lever for forcing the plunger out of the socket.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

NELSON J. CONSTABLE. 

